thespiritoflife.co.uk

My father always use to say to me “Life is beautiful”.

Our first grand grandchild, ‘beautiful’ Florence, was born six weeks ago. I can’t help it but I went ‘gaga’ when I first saw her perfect little hands. Everything about her expresses her potential for life and living.

Last Sunday was my father’s 40 day memorial. I had asked a friend to organise things for me in a small church about thirty minutes drive from us in Milia (a beautiful Greek mountain village) .  These small community churches are often maintained by the retired ladies of the villages and the local priest revolves around the three communities he serves.

When we arrived there were about a dozen people in the church. I informed the lady who was organising the votive candles at the entrance of the church, that we had come up for my fathers memorial service. She didn’t know anything about it - my friend had forgotten to inform them. My heart sank,  but in a flash the priest was informed, a table was placed in front of the alter and laid the bread, candles and other things we had brought for the service where laid out.

The service was  a moving experience for us, but more so because these strangers had accepted us into their community and made us feel welcome. After the service we went across to the village cafe for breakfast, we offered a local almond liqueur and the villagers paid their respects with the blessing “may you live long to honour the memory of your father.”

My father did managed to see his great grand daughter and although he was unable to physically move, the expression in his eyes and the gentle squeeze of his hand expressed his inner feelings. The circle of life was playing itself out in front of us – one soul leaving, one soul arriving. He was right ‘life is beautiful’ and so, so precious.

We wish William and Kate love and happiness together. Despite all the ’bad’ news we are surrounded by, it is wonderful how the wedding of a young couple can bring so much joy to so many people.

A shared life together requires many skills including compassion, an ability to listen (and really understand) and tolerance. Being in a relationship is very much like having a mirror held up in front of us, but if we stay aware we can learn so much about ourselves. Our partner can be our  greatest spiritual teacher and guru.

Mo-m (the seal conservation group) in Athens are getting excited about the seals spotted here. If we have a group of 4 seals that is already 1 percent of the Greek population.
Tomorrow we are going furhter along the coast to a little village where seals have been sighted swimming in the harbour.

We had our first rain after a very dry summer. It hadn’t rained properly since February, just a few light showers in late April. It only rained for abour fifteen minutes but it was a welcome arrival for everybody as we sat on the balconies enjoying the freshness and the aromas that came from the plants and the ground. The following day it seemed as if the trees and plants had woken up from a deep summer slumber.

The turtles should be hatching within the next 10 days – very exciting.

Today was our celebration of  ‘high summer’ and there is no better way to give thanks for the seasons and the bounty of nature than to immerse ourselves in her. So that is just what we did –  floating in the sea watching the mountains and ever changing sky. Wishing you the best for the rest of your summer.